On an otherwise sleepy August day, Apple shares surged $17.04, or 2.6%, to $665.15 -- giving the company a market value of $623.5 billion. That tops the $620.6 billion that Microsoft Corp. touched briefly toward the end of the 1990s dot-com bubble.

WATCH VIDEO DISCUSSION

The rally has been paced by enthusiasm about the next generation iPhone, which is set to be unveiled Sept. 12.

Facebook, meanwhile, momentarily sank to less than half the price of its $38 initial public offering three months ago. The shares touched down at $18.75 before a rare rally carried the stock back above $20. It closed up 5% at $20.01.

The buying may have been paced by investors who jumped in once the share price had been cut in half.

To celebrate the silver anniversary of the UConn men's 1989-90 Dream Season, The Courant will be looking at players and coaches who helped make that team special. Stories will appear periodically throughout the season.

FALL RIVER, Mass. — In the days leading up to his death, Odin Lloyd and former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez corresponded through text messages about meeting up, according to testimony given in court Tuesday.